Repetitive Strain Injuries

Repetitive strain injuries (RSI) occur when the same muscles are used repeatedly, and affect thousands of employees each year.

Also referred to as work-related upper limb disorders (WRULD), they are most commonly found in the back, neck, shoulders and wrists. Conditions employees can suffer from include:

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Thoracic outlet syndrome

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy

Tennis elbow

Tenosynovitis

Epicondylitis

Trigger finger/thumb

Bursitis

When can you claim?

As with any industrial injury claim, you must be able to show that your employer is at fault for your repetitive strain injury. This can be through the failure to provide proper equipment, lack of training or variation in tasks and insufficient breaks.

For example, if your work involves lots of repetitive heavy lifting it may be that your employer should have prevented this by investing in machinery such as a forklift. Even if machinery is provided, the vibration may mean that regular use causes conditions such as vibration white finger.

It is a common misconception that repetitive strain injuries only affect staff working in a factory or warehouse setting. In fact, employees whose job involves sitting at a desk using a computer can also suffer from RSI, as typing and using a mouse requires repetition of the same action.

Claiming with Croftons Solicitors

RSI claims follow a similar process to many other industrial accident and industrial disease claims.

The first factor to bear in mind is that your claim will be subject to a three-year time limit from the moment your RSI is diagnosed by a medical professional.

Therefore, it is important to contact Croftons Solicitors as soon as possible. We will endeavour to secure the maximum compensation possible from the relevant employer.

Any compensation would be paid by the employer’s insurance company rather than the employer itself, so you do not need to worry about bringing a valid claim against them.

Our key contacts

Jillian Roach

Associate

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